on,” she protested.
“But it made me want you all the more. You felt the chemistry between us, you can’t deny it.”
“Chemistry does not equal love—”
“We hardly had any time together, Brie. I am certain if we spent quality time together, you would feel differently.”
Brie growled in frustration. “You’re not thinking straight. I have already made my decision. There is no going back now. That’s the problem. You’re so sure about things that you never listen .”
He held up his hands in agreement. “Okay. You’re right. Go ahead, it’s your turn to talk. I’m listening.”
Brie knew her words would not be easy for Faelan to hear, but she needed to be completely honest with him. “Yes, it’s true. I felt an attraction towards you, but my heart was already taken. Even I didn’t realize how completely until the night of the ceremony.”
“You said ‘felt’ as if in the past. Are you saying you don’t feel attracted to me now? Can you honestly say that?” he insisted.
“There you go again… listen to me, Mr. Wallace. I am in love with someone else. I have already chosen the man I will serve. I’m sorry about what happened to you in the past, truly I am. But it doesn’t change anything. You have to move on.”
He shook his head and smiled sadly. “Brie, you and I never had time to get to know each other on a personal level. I want that. I want you to know the real me. Reject me if you must, but do it with a full understanding of who I am. Do not base it on a few encounters during a couple of scenes.”
The vulnerability he was displaying physically hurt Brie. She had never suspected the depth of his feelings. It made what she had to do so much harder.
Brie took a deep breath before beginning. “I believe that everything that happened on graduation night—”
Then she heard his voice behind her. “What are you doing, téa?” Sir’s tone was controlled, but accusatory.
Brie felt her stomach drop, realizing she had made a terrible mistake. “Mr. Wallace… said you gave him permission to speak with me. I thought he was the one I was supposed to meet with tonight, Master.”
Sir’s reply was simple and direct. “Have I given you permission to speak to Mr. Wallace?”
Brie’s lip trembled. “No, Master.”
Sir faced Faelan and shot his next words at him. “Mr. Wallace, you have ignored my edict. I directed you not to speak with my submissive. The fact you had the audacity to lie to her on top of it illustrates your lack of maturity and decorum. Leave now. But let me be perfectly clear, you are not to communicate with Miss Bennett or come within fifty yards of her. Do you understand?”
The entire club had become silent as the scene played out between the three of them. The crowd respectfully watched the confrontation. Faelan glanced around, possibly looking for supporters among the group, but found none. He nodded curtly to Sir, but his eyes traveled back to Brie. “Don’t reject me, blossom. Not without getting to know me first.”
“That’s it!” Sir roared. He gestured to the manager of the club and two staff members surrounded Faelan, taking hold of his arms and physically forcing him out of the club.
As he was being dragged out, Faelan yelled, “I love you, Brie! I love you more than he ever could. You have to give me a chance. We’re meant for each other…”
Sir’s neck pulsed with rage, but he did not respond. Instead, he turned his attention back on her. “You were told not to speak to Mr. Wallace.”
It was humiliating having the entire club witness her mistake, but Brie was far more crushed having failed Sir a second time. Would he disown her now?
She wanted to fall at his feet and beg forgiveness, but it would only anger him further. So she stated with conviction, “I was misled, Sir. I will not let that happen again.”
He snarled, “It is obvious that the boy is in need of correction.” Sir looked around and motioned the club owner to him.